Whether it’s the local bodega or barbershop, runaway energy costs can eat into profits for small businesses. That means less money to grow businesses and hire more workers. From 2014 through the beginning of 2015, Hispanic Federation partnered with Con Edison, the Office of NYS Senator Adriano Espaillat, and the NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC) to help small businesses throughout Washington Heights and Inwood lower their energy costs. Local businesses received free consultations on controlling energy costs through Con Edisons’s energy-saving experts and direct financial assistance for the installation of energy-efficient equipment.

“We have been working with Senator Espaillat, Con Edison and the NYCEDC for a long time on this project because we know how important small businesses are to the health of our communities,” said HF President José Calderón. “What’s more, we know that Latinos across the city are really concerned about the environment and welcome changes that have a direct impact on their local communities.”

From 2014, the program has conducted 600 installations producing 10,500,000 kWh in savings for Northern Manhattan’s small businesses.